Ilorin Emirate, Nigeria
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POLITICS OF LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY IN ILORIN EMIRATE, NIGERIA BY OLOSO, YESEERA OMONIKE B.A. Linguistics (Ilorin); M.A. Linguistics (Ibadan) MATRIC. NO.: 130304 A Thesis in the Department of Linguistics and African Languages Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY of the UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY OF OFIBADAN IBADAN LIBRARY MAY, 2017 ABSTRACT The status of Ilorin Emirate as a border community straddling Nigeria’s Northern and Southwestern regions where different languages, ethnic groups and cultures co-exist makes identity construction and manifestation complex. Existing literature largely posit an inseparable link between language and identity, hence, language loss constitutes identity loss. Extant literature barely focuses on the influence of politics on the linguistic and ethnic identities of people. This study, therefore, investigated the relationship between linguistic and ethnic identities in Ilorin Emirate with a view to evaluating the influence of politics and religion on both identities in the community. The Revised Social and Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory, and the Core Value Theory were adopted. Survey and ethnographic methods were used. Proportional sampling method was used for the selection of 300 questionnaire respondents from the five local government areas constituting Ilorin Emirate. Structured interviews were conducted with 25 purposively selected respondents with sufficient knowledge of their identities and community. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p˂0.05 while qualitative data were ethnographically analysed. Male respondents were 50.3% and Muslims were 89.0%. Majority of respondents (90.0%) identified Yoruba as their first language. However, in terms of political identity represented by regional preference, 57.7% and 34.3% identified as Northerners and Southwesterners respectively. Similarly, 60.0% preferred Northern Nigeria while 37.7% preferred Southwestern Nigeria. A pattern of linguistic identity was established in favour of Yoruba contrariwise for the Yoruba ethnic identity. Ancestral ethnicities influenced respondents’ zones of preference (x2=126.802) while language and religion had no significance. A mosaic pattern of identity was established as respondents preferred ancestral ethnic identities like Yoruba (32.0%), Fulani (16.0%) and Hausa (8.0%); sole Ilorin identity (8.0%) and hybrid ethnic identities like Yoruba-Ilorin (8.0%) and Fulani-Ilorin (4.0%). There were also cases of ethnic converts (24.0%), who claimed non-ancestral ethnic belongingness. Language loss did not constitute identity loss for a higher number of respondents of non-Yoruba ancestry (53.8%) as political allegiances and ancestral ethnicities rather than religion were central to identity and ethnic claims in Ilorin. Allegiances to ancestry whose languages are lost in Ilorin Emirate demonstrate that language and identity are indeed separable. Language loss, does not in all cases, halt the preservation of identity. Keywords: Politics of language and identity, Ilorin Emirate, Ancestral ethnicity, Ethnic converts WordUNIVERSITY count: 361 OF IBADAN LIBRARY CERTIFICATION ii I certify that this work was carried out by Mrs. Oloso, Yeseera Omonike under my supervision in the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan. .............................................................. ................................. Supervisor: Date Prof. Herbert Igboanusi, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY iii DEDICATION To Almighty Allah (SWT), Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Busari Soffiyyah Adedamola. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research would not have been conceived, started and completed without assistance from many wonderful sources to whom I feel highly indebted. The first of such sources is Almighty Allah (SWT) through whose Benevolence I got the gift of a healthy life and amongst many other countless blessings, the ability to carry out a doctoral research. For His blessings, mercies and kindness, I will always be thankful to Allah. My supervisor, Prof. Herbert Igboanusi, to whom I mostly owe my interest in Sociolinguistics and who supervised my Master’s degree project, remains an invaluable source of inspiration, support and encouragement. His remarkable thoroughness, dedication and kindness all combined in unique proportions contributed immensely towards the successful completion of this thesis. Besides providing me with masses of very useful textbooks and other relevant materials, Prof. Igboanusi gave the thesis very constructive criticisms and in his effortlessly considerate manner, propelled me to read more, consult wider and work harder thereby, improving my thesis draft after draft. I whole- heartedly appreciate every effort you made towards the successful completion of my research. The involvement of other good people in this work helped to make the work better in many ways. I am very grateful to the Head, Department of Linguistics and African languages, University of Ibadan, Prof. Arinpe Adejumo for her motherly disposition towards me and for always showing concern in the progress of my work; Prof. Dele Adeyanju of the Department of English for being a constructive critic whose insights have been found very helpful and for always sharing kind words; Dr. Ademola Lewis for challenging my propositions and sharing critical perspectives; Dr. Rasheed Olaniyi (Faculty of Arts Sub-Dean, PG) for being very generous with his invaluable time and knowledge and Dr. Jacob Oluwadọrọ for being very encouraging. I am also incredibly appreciative of Prof. Duro Adeleke, Prof. Oye Taiwo and Dr. Maduagwu all of the Department of Linguistics and African languages, University of Ibadan, for their cherished contributionsUNIVERSITY which greatly improved the thesis.OF Also IBADAN generously appreciated LIBRARY are the sound advice of Dr. Sunday Adeshina and the contributions of Dr. Adebiyi Kazeem both of English Department, University of Ibadan which were found really helpful. I am equally thankful to Prof. Gbenga Adewale of the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, for his invaluable assistance which helped to put the thesis in a better shape. I genuinely appreciate the kindness of Dr. Adam Akewula v (Faculty of Arts Sub-Dean, Undergraduate), Dr. Tope Ajayi and Mr. Gerald both of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan. All members of non-academic staff of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan are also highly appreciated for their kindness and assistance. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for the grant awarded to me at the commencement of this research and to Professor Abdur-Rasheed Na’Allah (Vice- Chancellor, Kwara State University, Malete), Professor Bayo Lawal (Head, Department of Statistics and Mathematical Sciences, KWASU) and Professor Nike Lawal (Head, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, KWASU) for being of great help in the process of obtaining the grant. My most sincere appreciation goes to my revered father, teacher, life coach and prayer partner, Imam Musa Busari for his prayers and constant enquiries about the progress of my thesis. A great deal of what I am today is directly or indirectly linked to the way he and my wonderful mother, Alhaja As’mau Busari raised me. I remain eternally thankful for the upbringing they gave me and for every bit of the sacrifices that they made for me. My deepest appreciation also goes to my in- laws especially my father-in-law, Professor Kamil Kojeyo Oloso, for their priceless support. My warmest appreciation goes to my husband and foremost cheerleader, Kamaldeen Kola, in whom I feel highly blessed. The support and encouragement you have always generously offered are deeply appreciated. Thank you for being a dependable companion in every ramification. Your unwavering commitment to the success of this research made an invaluable impact. My children, Kashaaf Koleola and Kalilah Kikelola also deserve accolades for enduring this journey with me and for showing me the much needed understanding. I equally wish to thank my baby sister, Mazeedah Adedolapo for always “borrowing” me her time whenever mine was not enough to accommodate my busy schedule. My brothers, AbdBassit, Toyyeeb and Fat’hu are also deeply appreciated for their endless prayers and for being strong pillars of support over the years. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY I really do have special reasons to be grateful to my good friend, Balogun Nasrudeen Akanbi for inviting me with open arms into the university system. I will always appreciate that particular kind gesture as it has been the beginning of many great experiences. Jazakumu Llahu Khayran. vi A very warm appreciation is also reserved for a great mentor and wonderful benefactor, Alhaji Lookman Abiodun Lawal, for his highly treasured influence on my past which bears significant influence on who I am now and for always willing to provide me with “bail-out funds” whenever the need arises. Egbon, indeed, you are a great example of how better the world would be if only humans genuinely look out for one another. Many helpful insights were gained from discussions and materials from Professor Jimba, M. M. and for which I am profusely thankful. I am also grateful to Dr. Shereefah Hussein-Abubakar for always sharing so much goodwill